Style Glossary: Help Your Self-Belt Esteem

It’s been one of your eternal questions for some time now, right up there with “What is the meaning of life?” and “Coke or Pepsi?” – what is this term “self-belt” that they sometimes use in product descriptions on ModCloth?

Well happily for you, this is one undying question that has an easy answer. A self-belt is a belt composed of the same material as that of the dress it comes with, and it’s a term that harks back to 1960, a time when dresses with matching belts had been de rigeur for several years. For a visual representation of this decorous detail, check out the Rose Menagerie Dress (seen above), I See a Coat of Blue, and the Avocado Orchard Dress. Ah, there, doesn’t your mind feel at ease now?

i think self belts are cute! i have a couple of vintage dresses which came with self belts and a little cute clip in the middle. i also love how with dresses that come with self belts, you can wear them two ways! either with the self belt or with a contrasting belt 🙂

I feel very strongly about not wearing self belts with vintage dresses. While they are cute, I think IRL they run the risk of looking costume-y. Wearing a more modern, contrasting belt helps bring vintage dresses into the now!

I love both! I often make quickie self-belts for dresses that I alter. After chopping up and resewing an old ’80s ugly frock, I’ll just take a piece of the snipped-off fabric left over from shortening the dress and tie it around my waist! Bonus: Flowy fabrics = no hemming required 🙂
<3 Modcloth and the blog!
-Rachaelhttp://www.youresewcool.com